Why Is the Definition of Injectivity Formulated This Way?

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The definition of injectivity in functions is established as follows: a function f: U -> V is injective if for any a, b in U, a ≠ b implies f(a) ≠ f(b) and f(a) = f(b) implies a = b. The discussion clarifies that the proposed definitions of injectivity as biconditional statements (a ≠ b if and only if f(a) ≠ f(b)) are unnecessary because the property of functions already guarantees that if a = b, then f(a) = f(b). Thus, the injectivity definition focuses solely on the implications rather than equivalences.

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  • Understanding of basic function definitions in mathematics
  • Familiarity with the concept of injective functions
  • Knowledge of logical implications and biconditional statements
  • Basic understanding of set theory and mappings
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  • Study the properties of injective, surjective, and bijective functions
  • Learn about the implications of function definitions in advanced mathematics
  • Explore logical reasoning in mathematical proofs
  • Investigate the role of functions in set theory and their applications
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Mathematics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the foundational concepts of functions and their properties, particularly in the context of injectivity.

studious
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I have a concern about the definition of injectivity:

f:U->V; f is injective, for a,b in U

1. a!=b implies f(a)!=f(b)
2. f(a)=f(b) implies a=b

Why isn't the definition:
3. a!=b if and only if f(a)!=f(b)
similarly,
4. a=b if and only if f(a)=f(b)


From 1, if a!=b implies f(a)!=f(b); consider a=b; certainly f(a)=f(b); so why isn't it that a!=b if and only if f(a)!=f(b).

What is the logic behind the definition of injectivity?
 
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studious said:
I have a concern about the definition of injectivity:

f:U->V; f is injective, for a,b in U

1. a!=b implies f(a)!=f(b)
2. f(a)=f(b) implies a=b

Why isn't the definition:
3. a!=b if and only if f(a)!=f(b)
similarly,
4. a=b if and only if f(a)=f(b)


From 1, if a!=b implies f(a)!=f(b); consider a=b; certainly f(a)=f(b); so why isn't it that a!=b if and only if f(a)!=f(b).

What is the logic behind the definition of injectivity?
Since "if a= b then f(a)= f(b)" is part of the definition of "function", it not necessary to include it in the definition of "injective function".
 
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